Ioda presents 2013 MotoGP, Moto2 Project

31 January 2013

Came IodaRacing Project presented its 2013 MotoGP and Moto2 line-up during an official unveiling at its factory in Dosson di Casier, Italy.

2012 MotoGP rookie Danilo Petrucci is continuing with Ioda for a second season, having switched from the team's own underpowered machine (almost 50km/h down on top speed at times) to the Suter-BMW - as used by Colin Edwards at Forward Racing - mid-way through last year.

The promising young Italian scored 27 points overall, to finish the year sixth out of the eleven CRT scorers.

"I am very happy to be here again," said Petrucci, runner-up in the 2011 FIM STK1000 Cup and a former Ducati Superbike test rider. “I am glad that [Ioda boss] Giampiero Sacchi has put his confidence in me for two years.

"This is my second season in MotoGP, after a very hard year for everybody. But it was very useful too. I wish to thank IodaRacing, Suter and BMW for their support and their hard work.

"I wish to say that I am doing my very best and I will keep on doing it, and hope we will be rewarded with the results we all deserve."

Ioda will be the only team running the Suter-BMW this year - Forward Racing switching to FTR-Kawasakis - but there will still be two German-powered machines on the grid due to Ioda expanding to a second rider.

Lukas Pesek will be Petrucci's team-mate, the Czech returning to grand prix after being a full time rider in the smaller classes from 2004 until midway through 2010.

His best GP season was the 2007 125cc championship, when he took six podiums including two wins for fourth overall with Derbi. Pesek recently raced in the German Superbike and Supersport series.

"It will be a very a hard season, not only because I am returning to the World Championship after two years, but because it is my first year in MotoGP,” confessed Pesek.

"I am doing my best to be in perfect shape for Sepang and am very excited to test my Ioda Suter. Anyhow I am facing this season with great enthusiasm and full commitment.

"I take this opportunity to thank Giampiero Sacchi and Came for this great opportunity, and all my fans in the Czech Republic for their affection and support."

Ioda has opted to run the standard ECU in MotoGP this year, meaning that Petrucci and Pesek will take part in the special test session this Sunday and Monday at Sepang, before the official three-day test begins on Tuesday at the Malaysian circuit.

Completing the 2013 Ioda line-up, and another new arrival, will be Moto2 rider Johann Zarco.

The former 125cc title runner-up finished tenth in last year's Moto2 series with JiR, enough to cinch the Rookie of the Year title, and will be aiming for his first four-stroke podiums in 2013.

Zarco is to steer a Suter chassis and takes over from Simone Corsi, who rode Ioda's FTR to five top-six finishes last season. Corsi has switched to Forward Racing in Moto2.

"I am very happy to be part of one of the best teams in the World Championship," said Frenchman Zarco. "I have had the chance to confirm the proven skills of their technicians already in Valencia during the testing sessions right after the last race.

"I went to Terni a few weeks ago and have visited their impressive race department, and realized that everybody at IodaRacing works with total commitment to racing. I don't deny that our main goal for this season is to fight for the top positions and for me to do my very best at all races.

"We will soon face the official tests where I will work hard to find a good feeling with my new Suter. I don't know my bike in depth yet, but I felt a strong sensation when I first rode it in the tests in Valencia.

"Since I am here with the sole intention of fighting for victory, I want to be on a good shape from the very first race in Qatar."

The first official Moto2 test of the year will be held at Valencia in mid-February.